Shirt packaging and stiffening device



Dec. 23, 1952 4 P. DIMOND ET AL 2,622,727

SHIRT PAKAGING AND ETIFFENI'NG DEVICE Filed Feb. 24, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l jwezaiv/u.

.Dzwzawa Dec. 23, 1952 P. DiMOND El AL SHIRT PACKAGING AND S'fIFFENINGDEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 24, 1951 vim Dec. 23, 1952 P. DIMOND ET AL SHIRT PACKAGING AND STIFFENING DEVICE a Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 24, 1951 f& IQeV/ W 1 affaz v/ze Patented Dec. 23, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHIRT PACKAGING AND. srmnnm-na nsvrort h l Di hd. nd J 1 11 E ss Qhiqa i Il Application February 24, 195.1, Serial No. 212,648

15 Claims. 1

h s i v on rel te to a ir pastas-ins an st h ns e ic n mots p rt c a l is co ed i a uni a member at cardboard r he ke wh ch r a multiple pu ose: he packa in of aunde d s rts.

ommer ial und i a n ecent ears be n w me -chase i ts and he Purchasn pu ic has b c m accustomed to.- e eivin th u d sd hi in thi f h on, and d mi d nd x cts h am The minimum packa e retofore provid d requires. thr e s par a e, members in rder o ach e a sat s actory package, and one which will stiffen the folded hi t and ke p he shi s fres and ri p looki. s. a Well as eing a le be; ea ly hand d wit -v t l ss o shape- S ch pack e is comp ised of a n kp s, hich is en a ed w thin the sch h a d is r s fen n the amc; a stifis in ardb a whi h s the bas upo which t shirt i ra ped and which serves to shape th shirt; nd a band of sui able Wid h ch i en a ed bout th s i t to ol he same n as embled ndition- I cr in co ts f pap r pr du t and l bs! have caused the production of such packagcs to b very e pshs e- 'Ihs cos her sf be e tuall bo ne by the ust mer n increased a es The pr nc pa object 0 th s invent on is t p vid a sin membe hi h f nc ons as a l o the thr e elem nts n mer ed above,

Ano h r obje t f the in ent o is t p ovide a s t Packa in ds i h h s more economh cal than the devices or groups of devices heretoi s se to pa ass and ifien shirts, and which an be p e to. the s irt with less eflort tha h re i r ne e a f r Qther d v ces. with a at a in in abor! othe ob ec of t inv ntion has he p ovision of a novel device which has means for accomplishing the functions above mentioned in a novel manner.

Other objects of the invention lie in the pros vision of a single member which has a portion insertable under the rear portion of the collar; which has another portion insertable in the shirt on below e c lla whic has an ther po ti engageable inside the collar at the front thereof; and which has in addition a stiffening board por:

tion and a pair of interengageabl-e locking members to hold the device in assembly,

Still a further object of the invention is to eliminate the need for pins, or adhesive of any kind in the packaging of shirts.

Still another object of the invention is to pro- 2 ide an nt gral mem t r c n a d tif enin a shift which is formed of a single sheet 9? paper or cardboard or the like and in which there will be a minimum of waste.

With the ioreg oing and other objects in view which will appear as the description of our shirt packag ng and stiffening device'proceeds, the in:- vention consists of certain novel features of const ustiqn a r n m t n a o ina i n parts hereinafter iully described, illustrated in assqm ah hs sw n s an a t u a P n out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, si and m nsr detai s of the structure may b dc without in any way departing fromthe s iii r s r in any i the d ta of th in n i n For the purpose of facilitating the understand: ing of the'invention, We have illustrated in the accompanying drawings preferred embodiments thereof, froman inspection of which, when considered in connection Withthe following dGSCliD-r tion, our invention, its mode of construction or formation, assembly and operation in connection with tho packagingof shirts for laundries and the ike, and niahv of its d ta e readily h uld 9 hi srsto d. a d a pr c t Referring to the drawings in which the same charactersbi reference are employed to indicate corresponding ,or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawings:

1 is a. front elevational view of a laundered shirt'which has been enwrapped in a shirt packaging and stiffening device constructed in accordance with our invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the shirt or 1-.

Fig; 3 is a developed view of the packaging devi s an a Fig. 4} i s a rear elevational view of a shirt in the process of being folded into engagement with our device, the step illustrated being the initial one.

Rig. 5 is another rear elevational view similar to that of Fig. 4 but showing the shirt completely folded onto the stifiening part of the de-. vice, the remainder of the device not yet having bssh ap l ed,

'6 is a front elevational view of the shirt in the same condition as in the case of Fig. 5.

Fig. '1 is a front elevational view of the shirt showing the packaging operation at an advanced sis 1 t t m" o qn ls h f isis a s c io al i th h the let ly iold ed and packaged shirt taken generally 3 along the line 88 of Fig. 1 and in the indicated direction.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a shirt packaged by the use of a packaging and stiifening device of slightly modified form, in which a conventional band may be substituted in place of the locking device shown in Figs. 1 to 8.

Fig. 10 is a developed view of a packaging device of modified construction.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a shirt packaged by means of the device shown in Fig. 10..

Referring now to the drawings, the reference character designates generally a shirt packaging and stiffening device constructed in accordance with our invention. Same comprises an elongate stiff paper or cardboard member which is intended to be associated with a shirt and which takes the place of the conventional stiffening board, collar shaping member, and Wrapping band. As will be noted in Fig. 3 the device is constructed from a single member by die cutting or the like. There is an elongate imperforate shirt backing base 2| which engages the back of the shirt as will be described; a pair of collar straddling strips 22 a rear collar tab 23; a front anchor tab 24; an arcuate collar Shaping and stiffening strip 25; and a pair of interlocking tongues 26.

As will be seen, the backing base 2| can be of any suitable length, the proportionate length illustrated having been found satisfactory. Additional length can be used as indicated by the broken extension lines 39. The strips 22 are intended to engage upon the shoulders of the shirt and connect the front and rear of the device 20 as will be seen. The rectangular spaced formed by the strips 22 has the parts 23, 24, and 25 formed therein with very little waste. The part 23 forms a rear collar tab while the part 24 forms a front anchor tab. Said tabs 23 and 24 are formed directly when the device 20 is stamped out in one operation. Device 29 is out along the line 25' thereby providing a point of rupture between said tabs permitting the two tabs 23 and 24 easily and readily to be separated. The rear collar tab 23 is integrally formed from the body of the backing base 2| at the top edge of the rectangular space, which will be designated 3|. The front anchor tab 24 and collar strip 25 form an inverted T-shaped member touching the edge of the tab 23 at the top and connected to the bottom edge of the space 3| by a triangular shaped collar protecting member 32. As will be seen from Fig. 3, the tongues 26 each have a iotch 33 formed therein for interengagement in the manner described hereinafter.

The foregoing description emphasizes the simple construction of the device 20 and points out the ease with which same can be manufactured from a single cardboard member. In order best to promote an understanding of the invention we will explain in some detail the manner that the device is applied to a shirt.

There is illustrated in the drawings an ordinary shirt which is constructed in the conventional manner, having sleeves 4|, a front 42, a back 43, a collar 44, the collar having tapered points 45. To wrap the shirt 40, it is first laid upon its front, with the closure joined. In Fig. 1 the buttons 4? have been engaged in their cooperating button holes 48. The device 20 is laid in the center of the shirt back 43 with the rear collar tab 23 pointing upward toward the collar 44. The tab 23 is then slipped under the rear of the collar 44 as shown in Fig. 4 and the shirt is neatly folded upon the backing base 2|. This is done in any suitable manner. For example, first one side and its sleeve 4| can be folded onto the backing base 2|, then the other side and its sleeve, and finally the bottom neatly folded upon the top of the sleeves and sides, as shown in Fig. 5.

Now, the remainder of the device 20 is bent over to the front of the shirt, leaving the tab 23 pointing upward, that is, remaining in the plane of the backing base 2|, with the strips 22 bending over the shoulders of the shirt as shown by the broken lines in Fig. 8. The appearance of the shirt front prior to bending down the cut-out portion of the device 20 is as in Fig. 6. In other words, Fig. 6 is the same as Fig. 5, except the shirt has been turned over. Now the portion including the cut-out rectangle 3| is laid over the front of the shirt 4|). As shown in Fig. 7, the collar protecting triangle 32 straddles the points 45 of the collar 44 while the connecting elements 24 and 25 are poised upon the collar'44. Now the arcuate portion is bent into the neck opening inside the collar 44 and tucked against the inside of the front of the collar While the front anchor tab is inserted immediately beheath the shirt front 42 under the closure 46. This holds the collar 44 and its points 45 in shape, protected, and neatly arranged.

Nowthe two tongues 26 are disengaged from the front portion of the device 20, and wrapped around the shirt as shown by the solid and broken lines of Fig. 7, and engaged one to the other by means of their cooperating notches 33. This locks the shirt stiffening device upon the shirt because the tongues 26 tend to pull apart and return to their original positions, biasing the notches 23 against one another. The removal of the tongues 26 from the front of the shirt package leaves a rectangular space through which the shirt front 42 may be seen. The transverse connecting strip 5| prevents the device 20 from becoming unduly weak at this point. The notches 33 may be eliminated and the top and bottom of the tongue ends provided with pressure sensitive adhesive.

Although the construction above described is preferred, it may be desirable to eliminate the tongues 26, in which case the front of the device 20 is imperforate as shown at 53 in Fig. 9. Such a package may have a conventional band 54 engaging the shirt to hold same assembled. In all other respects the packaging device of Fig. 9 is identical to that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8.

It is to be understood that the device 20 may be formed of various materials in addition to cardboard. For example, same may be made of fibre, plastic sheeting, and the like. Also, said member properly may be scored in various manners to assist in the manipulation thereof.

In Figs. 10 and 11 we have illustrated a modification of the invention in which the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 8 and used to stiffen, protect and shape the collar and points, has been changed. Thus, the T-shaped construction comprising the arcuate strip 25 and the anchor tab 24 with the connecting triangular web 32 have been eliminated and in their place We have provided another construction. The modified device is shown in Fig. 10 and is designated 20'. As in the case of the device 25, same comprises a rectangular elongate member of cardboard or the like having a backing base portion 2| which is imperforate and upon which the shirt is wrapped. (The designatory characters of device 20' correspond to the equivalent characters used in connection with the device 2%), except that they are primed). There is a rectangular cutaway portion 3 i forming thereby the two shoulder straps 22. IJhe rear collar tab 23 is identical in formation to the tab 23. There are cut tongues 25 having notches 33 for interengagement on the rear of the resulting package. When the tongues are folded back and around the shirt in the exact manner as in the base of the device illustrated in Figs. 1 formed through which the shirt front '52 may be seen and there is a transverse connecting strip 51 across the front of the shirt.

Attention is now invited to the construction of the collar stiffening and protecting means. At the bottom of the rectangular opening 3! and integrally formed with the lower edge thereof are provided a pair of external collar wings as in the form of an arcuate strip the center of which is attached at iii to the transverse strip 62. In the top center of the wing strip till there is formed a short collar bracing member '53 which is connected with the strip til at t l. A pair of internal collar bracing wings is formed out of the cardboard as an arcuate strip 65 connected to the bracing member 63 at 66. The connections El, 6d, and 66 may be scored if desired, but since the connections are of such small extent, scoring is not necessary since when the shirt package is assembled the required bending easily will occur.

The shirt 58 is enwrapped in the device Ed in the same manner as it is enwrapped in the device 20 up to the step illustrated in Fig. 7. Thereafter, the tongues 26' may be swapped around the shirt or the collar bracing structure installed. Irrespective of this, let us consider the manner in which the collar bracing and shaping structure is engaged upon the shirt collar. First the three members 65, E3, and are bent perpendicular to the strip e2 along the line of connection 6!. Then the wings til are inserted between the tabs and the front of the collar M. The wings follow the arcuate curve of the collar and the bracing member 63 engages upon the top of the collar, thereby locking the wings (iii in place. Then the member is bent to a position substantially parallel with the strip 62 along the connection 6d, and the internal collar bracing wings are bent into the inside of the collar to conform with the curvature thereof, leaving the member 63 positioned as shown in Fig. 11.

It is believed that this invention, its mode of construction and assembly, and many of its advantages readily should be understood from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that while preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the specific details are nevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A shirt packaging and stiffening device which comprises an elongate rectangular member of semi-flexible sheeting and having an imperforate panel portion on one end adapted to serve as a backing base upon which the shirt is to be wrapped, a generally rectangular cut-out portion adjacent the imperforate panel portion having its sides defined by straps connecting the second end of the member with the panel and said straps adapted to engage over the shirt shoulders straddlin the collar, a tab integrally formed with the said panel and extending into to 8, an opening 5% is the said cut-out portion and adapted to be engaged beneath the rear of the collar of the shirt, and collar stifiening and shaping means integrally formed with the rectangular member and extending into the rectangular cut-out portion for engaging and stiffening the front of the collar of the shirt, including an anchor tab extending into said cut-out portion opposite said first mentioned tab, said collar adapted to enter said reotangular cut-out portion when said device is assembled upon a folded shirt and have the collar stiffening and shaping means engage the collar thereof, said anchor tab adapted to be folded over the front of the collar and inserted beneath the front of the shirt.

2. A shirt packaging and stiffening device which comprises an elongate rectangular member of semi-flexible sheeting and having an imperforate panel portion on one end adapted to serve as a backing base upon which the shirt is to be wrapped, a generally rectangular cutout portion adjacent the imperforate panel portion having its sides defined by straps connecting the second end of the member with the panel and said straps adapted to engage over the shirt shoulders straddling the collar, a tab integrally formed with the said panel and extending into the said cut-out portion and adapted to be engaged beneath the rear of the collar of the shirt, and collar stiffening and shaping means integrally formed with the rectangular member and extending into the rectangular cut-out portion for engaging and stiffening the front of the collar of the shirt, including an anchor tab extending into said out-cut portion opposite said first mentioned tab, said collar adapted to enter said rectangular cut-out portion when said device is assembled upon a folded shirt and have the collar stiffening and shaping means engage the collar thereof, said collar stiffening and shaping means comprising a triangular shaped web with its base connected to the edge of the rectangular cut-out portion opposite the said tab, an arcuate strip connected to the apex of the web and adapted to be folded into the inside of the front of the shirt collar.

3. A shirt packaging and stiffening device which comprises an elongate rectangular member of semi-flexible sheeting and having an 1-1 perforate panel portion on one end adapted to serve as a backing base upon which the shirt is to be wrapped, a generally rectangular cutout portion adjacent the imperforate panel portion having its sides defined by straps connecting the second end of the member with the panel and said straps adapted to engage over the shirt shoulders straddling the collar, a tab integrally formed with the said panel and extendin into the said cut-out portion and adapted to be engaged beneath the rear of the collar of the shirt, and collar stiffening and shaping means integrally formed with the rectangular member and extending into the rectangular cut-out portion for engaging and stiffening the front of the collar of the shirt, including an anchor tab extending into said cut-out portion opposite said first mentioned tab, said collar adapted to enter said rectangular cut-out portion when said device is assembled upon a folded shirt and have the collar stiffening and shaping means engage the collar thereof, said collar stiffening and shaping means comprising a triangular shaped web with its base connected to the edge of the rectangular out-out portion opposite the said tab, an arcuate strip connected to the apex of the web and adapted to be folded into the inside of the front of the shirt collar, said anchor tab being connected to the center of the arcuate strip and extending outwardly therefrom and adapted to be engaged under the front of the shirt below the collar when said device is associated therewith 4. A shirt packaging and stiffening device comprising an elongate carboard member having an imperforate panel backing portion at one end, a center rectangular cut-out portion, and a second substantially rectangular cut-out portion at the second end thereof, means integrally formed with the cardboard member and extending into the center rectangular cut-out portion and comprising a rear collar tab attached to the edge thereof as a continuation of said panel and extending in a direction parallel with the length of the cardboard member, a substantially T- shaped member connected to the opposite edge of the center cut-out portion and extending into the center thereof and having a collar point protecting triangular web connected between the cross arm of the T-shaped connecting member and said edge with its apex attached at the center of the cross arm of the T, the cross arm adapted to serve as front interior collar shaping wings, the vertical part of the T facing said rear collar tab and adapted to be inserted under the shirt front from the inside of the collar, and means integrally formed with the cardboard member in said end rectangular cut-out portion for locking the device upon the shirt.

5. A shirt packaging and stiffening device comprising an elongate carboard member having an imperforate panel backing portion at one end, a center rectangular cut-out portion, and a second substantially rectangular cut-out portion at the second end thereof, means integrally formed with the cardboard member and extending into the center rectangular cut-out portion and comprising a rear collar tab attached to the edge thereof as a continuation of said panel and extending in a direction parallel with the length of the cardboard member, a substantially T- shaped member connected to the opposite edge of the center cut-out portion and extending into the center thereof and having a collar point protecting triangular Web connected between the cross arm of the T-shaped connecting member and said edge with its apex attached at the center of the cross arm of the T, the cross arm adapted to serve as front interior collar shaping Wings, the vertical part of the T facing said rear collar tab and adapted to be inserted under the shirt front from the inside of the collar, and means integrally formed with the cardboard member in said end rectangular cut-out portion for locking the device upon the shirt and comprising a pair of tongues arranged at right angles to the length of the cardboard member and having interlocking means thereon and adapted to be extended about the packaged shirt and joined at the rear thereof.

6. An integral member for packaging a shirt and having a backing panel, a rear collar tab, shoulder straps for straddling a folded shirt, a front collar point protecting web, a front interior collar shaping arcuate strip, a front shirt front anchor tab, and tongues adapted to extend around the folded shirt and secured one to the other to hold the member enwrapped upon the folded shirt.

7. A shirt packaging and stiffening device which comprises an elongate rectangular panel 8 member of semi-flexible sheeting having an imperforate portion on one end adapted to support a shirt wrapped thereon, a generally rectangular cut-out portion adjacent the imperforate portion having its sides defined by elongate straps adapted to engage over the shirt shoulders straddling the shirt collar, there being an end portion of said panel adjacent said cut-out portion opposite said end portion adapted to be the front of the resulting shirt package, means integral with the panel member and extending into the cut-out portion adapted to engage the collar for preserving the same, and a pair of elongate tongues integrally formed with said end portion adjacent the cut-out portion and comprising cutouts arranged side by side substantially perpendicular with the long dimension of the said panel member each joined at one end to an opposite edge of said end portion and having cooperative oppositely facing notches at the other end whereby said tongues are each adapted to be bent around the back of the said resulting package in opposite directions and engaged one with the other thereat to hold the said package assembled.

8. A shirt packaging and stiffening device which comprises an elongate rectangular panel member of semi-flexible sheeting having an imperforate portion on one end adapted to support a shirt wrapped thereon, a generally rectangular cut-out portion adjacent the imperforate portion having its sides defined by elongate straps adapted to engage over the shirt shoulders straddling the collar, a transverse strip connecting the said straps at the end thereof opposite said imperforate portion, said trans verse strip adapted to extend across the front of the shirt, collar stiffening and shaping means integrally formed with said panel portion and extending into the cut-out portion and a pair of straight tongues each having an end thereof secured adjacent opposite edges of the panel member and extending side by side perpendicular to the length of the panel member and having a common tongue edge, each of the tongues adapted to be folded back upon itself and across the rear of the shirt when the device is assembled on the shirt and each having notches formed in the common tongue edges, said notches adapted cooperatively to be engaged for joining said tongues whereby to lock the tongues upon the imperforate portion.

9. A shirt packaging and stiffening device which comprises an elongate rectangular panel member of semi-flexible sheeting having an imperforate portion on one end adapted to support a shirt wrapped thereon, a generally rectangular cut-out portion adjacent the imperforate portion having its sides defined by elongate straps adapted to engage over the shirt shoulders straddling the collar, a transverse strip connecting the said straps at the end thereof opposite said imperforate portion, said transverse strip adapted to extend across the front of the shirt, collar stiffening and shaping means integrally formed with said panel portion and extending into the cut-out portion and a pair of straight tongues each having an end thereof secured adjacent opposite edges of the panel member and extending side by side perpendicular to the length of the panel member and having a common tongue edge, each of the tongues adapted to be folded back upon itself and across the rear of the shirt when the device is assembled on the shirt and each having notches formed in the common tongue edges, said notches adapted cooperatively to be engaged for joining said tongues whereby to look the tongues upon the imperforate portion, said strip being relatively narrow and disposed adjacent one of said tongues.

10. A shirt packaging and stiffening device which comprises an elongate rectangular panel member of semi-flexible sheeting having an imperforate portion on one end adapted to support a shirt wrapped thereon, a generally rectangular cut-out portion adjacent the imperforate portion having its sides defined by elongate straps adapted to engage over the shirt shoulders straddling the collar, a transverse strip connecting the said straps at the end thereof opposite said imperforate portion, said transverse strip adapted to extend across the front of the shirt, collar stiffening and shaping means integrally formed with said panel portion and extending into the cut-out portion and a pair of straight tongues each having an end thereof secured adjacent opposite edges of the panel member and extending side by side perpendicular to the length of the panel member and having a common tongue edge, each of the tongues adapted to be folded back upon itself and across the rear of the shirt when the device is assembled on the shirt and each having notches formed in the common tongue edges, said notches adapted cooperatively to be engaged for joining said tongues whereby to lock the tongues upon the imperforate portion, said means including a pair of tabs integrally formed with said panel member and extending into the cut-out portion from opposite ends thereof, one tab adapted to be inserted beneath the rear of the collar and the second tab adapted to be folded over the front of the collar and inserted beneath the front of the shirt for preventing movement of said means relative to the collar.

11. A shirt packaging and stiffening device which comprises an elongate rectangular panel member of sea i-flexible sheeting having an imperforate portion on one end adapted to support a shirt wrapped thereon, a generally rectangular cut-out portion adjacent the imperforate portion having its sides defined by elongate straps adapted to en age over the shirt shoulders straddling the collar, a transverse strip connecting the said straps at the end thereof opposite said imperforate portion, said transverse strip adapted to extend across the front of the shirt, collar stiffening and shaping means integrally formed with said panel portion and extending into the cut-out portion and a pair of straight tongues each having thereof secured adjacent opposite edges of the panel member and extending side by side perpendicular to the length of the panel member and having a common tongue edge, each of the tongues adapted to be folded back upon itself and across the rear of the shirt when the device is assembled on the shirt and each having notches formed in the common tongue edges, said notches adapted cooperatively to be engaged for joining said tongues whereby to lock the tongues upon the imperforate portion, said collar stiffening and shaping means comprising a triangular shaped web with its base connected to an edge of the cut-out portion, an arcuate strip connected to the apex of the web and adapted to be folded into the inside of the front of the said collar.

12.A shirt packaging and stiffening device which comprises an elongate rectangular panel member of semi-flexible sheeting having an imperforate portion on one end adapted to support a shirt Wrapped thereon, a generally rectangular cut-out portion adjacent the imperforate portion having its sides defined by elongate straps adapted to engage over the shirt shoulders straddling the collar, a transverse strip connecting the said straps at the end thereof opposite said imperforate portion, said transverse strip adapted to extend across the front of the shirt, collar stiffening and shaping means integrally formed with said panel portion and extending into the cut-out portion and a pair of straight tongues each having an end thereof secured adjacent opposite edges of the panel member and extending side by side perpendicular to the length of the panel member and having a common tongue edge, each of the tongues adapted to be folded back upon itself and across the rear of the shirt when the device is assembled on the shirt and each having notches formed in the common tongue edges, said notches adapted cooperatively to be engaged for joining said tongues whereby to lock the tongues upon the imperforate portion, said collar stiffening and shaping means comprising a triangular shaped Web with its base connected to a-n'edge of the cut-out portion, an arcuate strip connected to the apex of the web and adapted to be folded into the inside of the front of the said coliar, and an anchor tab connected to the center of the arcuate strip and extending outwardly therefrom and adapted to be engaged over the front of the collar and inserted beneath the front of the shirt when said device is associated therewith.

13. A shirt packaging and stiffening device which comprises an elongate rectangular member of semi-flexible sheeting and having an imperforate panel portion on one end adapted to serve as a backing base upon which the shirt is to be wrapped, a generally rectangular cut-out portion adjacent the imperforate pan- 1 portion having its sides defined by elongate straps adapted to engage over the shirt shoulders straddling the collar, a tab integrally formed with said panel and extending into the cut-out portion and adapted to be inserted beneath the rear of the shirt collar, collar stiffening and shaping means integrally formed with the rectangular portion and extending into the cut-out portion for engaging and stiffening the front of the collar including a tab member centrally formed on said means opposite said first mentioned tab adapted to be folded over the front of the collar and inserted beneath the front of the shirt for maintaining said means in position relative to the collar.

14. A shirt packaging and stiffening device which comprises an elongate rectangular member of semi-flexible sheeting and having an imperforate panel portion on one end adapted to serve as a backing base upon which the shirt is to be wrapped, a generally rectangular cut-out portion adjacent the imperforate panel portion having its sides defined by elongate straps adapted to engage over the shirt shoulders straddling the collar, collar stiffening and shaping means integrally formed at one end thereof with the rectangular portion and extending into the cut-out portion for engaging and stiffening the front of the shirt collar, a pair of tabs arranged opposite each other, one of said tabs being integrally formed with said panel and extending into the cut-out portion opposite said means and adapted to be inserted beneath the rear of the collar of the shirt, the second tab 11 being integrally formed with the free end of said means and adapted to be folded over the front of the collar and inserted beneath the front of the shirt thereat for preventing inadvertent movement of said means relative to the collar.

15. A shirt packaging and stiffening device which comprises an elongate rectangular panel member of semi-flexible sheeting having an imperforate portion on one end adapted to support a shirt Wrapped thereon, a generally rectangular cut-out portion adjacent the imperforate portion having its sides defined by elongate straps adapted to engage over the shirt shoulders straddling the shirt collar, there being an end portion of said panel adjacent said cut-out portion opposite said end portion adapted to be the front of the resulting shirt package, means integral with the panel member and extending into the cut-out portion adapted to engage the collar for preserving the same, and a pair of elongate tongues integrally formed with said end portion adjacent the cut-out portion and comprising cut-outs arranged side by side substantially perpendicular with the long dimension of the said panel member each joined at one end REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,060,497 Cohen Nov. 10, 1936 2,458,998 McFall Jan. 11, 1949 2,581,696 O'Reilly Jan. 8, 1952 

